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EVENTS
Leadership 2026 -JANUARY 26-29
Learning from and with the community is a central distinguisher of schools within the BPL Network. Thus, we've made it an essential part of BPL convenings. As part of Big Bang, attendees will spend time - not in the hotel or convention center - but out in the community through Leaving to Learn sessions.
Big Picture Learning staff have spent a great deal of time cultivating relationships with community-based organizations in the community surrounding Big Bang and are excited to share the below opportunities with you all. Leaving to Learn selections are closely related to conference strands, so your options may be limited by the Strand you select as part of your registration. For more information about Strands, visit the Agenda page.
HOW DO I SELECT MY L2L?
You must be registered for Big Bang in order to select your Leaving to Learn session. Once you've completed your registration, you'll immediately receive an email asking you to complete your Attendee Profile. Leaving to Learn selection is part of that profile and based on your confirmed Strand Selection. If you've already registered for Big Bang, check your email archive using the search term "Attendee Profile" to locate the link you'll need to re-access your profile. With any questions or for assistance, please reach out to events@bigpicturelearning.org.
Please note when making your selection: if any of the Leaving to Learns below are labelled "walking", that means it's close enough to the hotel that we'll not be taking a bus to it. Please take this into consideration. In addition, BPL can make no guarantees about what the weather will be like on the day of our excursions. Please plan accordingly.
Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Step aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry, a full-rigged tall ship and floating classroom dedicated to hands-on learning, teamwork, and maritime adventure. Participants will explore the power of experiential learning through sailing, systems thinking, and collaboration—no sailing experience required. Come
prepared to reflect on how challenge and interdependence shape deep learning outside of the classroom.
DownCity Design & Edge and End
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Get inspired by the power of hands-on learning through a dual visit to two of the Met’s premier design and making partners. At DownCity Design, students turn ideas into impact, using design thinking and fabrication skills to solve real community challenges. Then head to Edge and End, where students learn the art of woodworking alongside professionals, gaining technical skills and creative confidence. This Leaving to Learn showcases how meaningful partnerships can build both student capacity and community connections—one project at a time.
Navad Bakers & PACE
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Step into NAVAD Bakers in East Providence with founder Guy Hanuka, an Israeli-trained baker whose home kitchen passion flourished into a bustling production facility. Discover how his nomadic journey from Tel Aviv to Rhode Island led to rebranding “Navad” and crafting artisanal challah, babka, burekas, and more—baked fresh each weekend for local markets, Whole Foods, and nationwide shipping. Then, visit the PACE center n East Providence and meet the dedicated team providing comprehensive health, social, and wellness services to older adults. Learn how PACE's model promotes independence, supports community connection, and ensures coordinated care—all delivered with warmth and respect.
Everett Company Stage and School
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Get ready to move, connect, and be inspired! In this unforgettable Leaving to Learn, we’re heading to The Everett Company Stage School in Providence, RI—a
powerhouse of local creativity led by the visionary Jungles family. Through the vibrant language of hip hop and breakdancing, students will engage in an immersive workshop where movement becomes a pathway to learning. As we explore rhythm, collaboration, and personal expression, we’ll uncover how dance fuels academic growth, career exploration, and social-emotional development. This is more than a class—it’s a journey into how passion, relationships, and practice can transform learning into something powerful and real. Let’s step into the cypher and discover what it means to truly learn
from the world around us.
Exploratory Ramble: Alumni Walk
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Please note: this is a walking excursion
Join experienced Met Principal, longtime Met educator, and former mentor Janet Villenueva Williams on an unforgettable walking tour through the heart of Providence. As a former advisor and mentor, Janet will guide you through the neighborhoods, landmarks, and local gems that have shaped the lives of Met students for decades. Along the way, you’ll meet Met alumni who will share their stories, reflecting on their time at the Met, how it prepared them for life beyond high school, and where their journeys have taken them since. This reflective, relationship-rich ramble is a celebration of place, purpose, and the lasting impact of authentic education.
Tomaquag Native American Museum
Space for: 40
Strand: BPL 101 & BPL in Practice
Explore Rhode Island’s Indigenous heritage through the lens of the Tomaquag Museum, the state's only Indigenous-led museum and cultural education center. This powerful experience centers Native knowledge, sovereignty, and storytelling through art, artifacts, and dialogue. Participants will engage in a guided experience led by Indigenous educators, gaining insight into the intersection of education,
identity, and justice.
Hall of GraFX
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Please note: this is a walking excursion
Step into Hall of GraFX with Gary Wallace—Providence street-artist-turned-grand-format printing guru—as he leads a hands-on journey through his bustling Kinsley Avenue studio. Discover how his roots in 80s street art evolved into managing massive print operations in NYC and globally, and eventually inspired him to launch his own Providence-based print hub.
Cape Verdean Museum
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL 101
Visit the only museum in the United States dedicated to preserving and celebrating the
history, culture, and contributions of Cape Verdean people. Through guided exploration and rich storytelling, participants will gain a deeper understanding of migration, identity, and community resilience. This Leaving to Learn invites reflection on cultural preservation and the role of heritage in shaping personal and collective narratives.
College Unbound
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Impact
Get to know College Unbound! Participants will dive into our unique approach to higher education, connect with students as they share their powerful, real-world projects, and hear the story of one of our very first community partners who helped make it all possible.
The Steel Yard
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Impact
Join us for an unforgettable visit to the Steel Yard—an award-winning industrial arts center and community space nestled in the heart of Providence. With its vibrant blend of historic architecture, hands-on creativity, and social mission, the Steel Yard offers a truly unique backdrop for inspiration and connection.
Museum of Work & Culture
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Impact
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Step into the stories of Rhode Island’s working-class immigrants at the Museum of Work and Culture. Through interactive exhibits and guided exploration, participants will examine the intersections of labor, culture, and identity—reflecting on how history, place, and perseverance shape education, equity, and community today.
Hope & Main: Chopped Culinary Contest
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Leads
Please note: this is a walking excursion
Are you ready to get Chopped? In true Big Picture experiential way, an experienced BPL leader and Met principal will lead the group in a culinary, team building excursion - creating, shopping for, and cooking a menu for one another while getting to know one another. This Leaving to Learn focuses on adult relationships and ways to bring teams together to function at their best (and most delicious).
Center for Leadership & Educational Equity
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Leads
Join the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE) for a hands-on session exploring how strong facilitation, equity tools, and shared leadership practices can strengthen school communities. In this 90-minute visit, participants will engage in a sample protocol, reflect on CLEE’s Leadership Practices, and explore the HUB of accessible resources. Designed for Big Picture leaders, this experience offers concrete strategies, and a moment to reset, before heading back to the work ahead.
Toyota of Smithfield
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL in Practice
Step into the dynamic world of real-world learning at Toyota of Smithfield, where students are not just observers but active contributors to the automotive
industry. In this immersive Leaving to Learn, you'll meet a student intern and their dedicated mentor, gaining firsthand insights into the transformative power of mentorship and hands-on experience. Discover how structured support and meaningful projects can ignite a student's passion, build
confidence, and pave the way for future career opportunities. This visit offers a unique perspective on fostering impactful internship experiences that benefit both students and industry partners.
Rhode Island State House
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL in Practice
Please note: this is a walking excursion
Experience the Rhode Island State House through the eyes of a student intern who has transformed their passion for civics into a hands-on learning opportunity. This 90-minute Leaving to Learn visit offers a guided tour of the historic State House, led by a student who supports the state's official tour program. Following the tour, engage in a Q&A session with the student, their State House mentor, and the Met advisor who facilitated the internship placement. Together, they will share insights into the internship process, the skills developed, and the impact of real-world learning experiences. This visit highlights the power of mentorship and personalized education in preparing students for active citizenship and future careers.
Roger Williams Park
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL in Practice
For the past eight years Andrew Coburn has had his advisory in Roger Williams Park and has used BPLiving as a new form to bring life to his advisory. Join Andrew, the advisory and Elliot for a walk in the park where they will show you how to utilize the park's third spaces integrating BPLiving. In addition, everyone will be given a copy of Andrew’s new book – A Walk in the Park Makes a Path to Wellness.
Grace Cemetery
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL in Practice
Step into Rhode Island’s past with a guided walk through one of Providence’s historic cemeteries. This Leaving to Learn explores the stories etched into headstones and the histories often left untold—offering a reflective look at race, class, and
memory in public space. Participants will consider how landscapes of remembrance can challenge or affirm the narratives we hold about community, equity, and belonging.
Level 99
Space for: 40
Strand: BPL in Practice
Please note: this is a walking excursion
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Step into an immersive universe of physical and mental adventure at Level 99—where escape room challenges, logic puzzles, and team-based games come together. Participants will explore how gamified environments can foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking—while having a blast. Get ready to move, think, and laugh your way
through a unique Leaving to Learn experience!
Co-Design a Leaving to Learn
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL in Practice
Please note: this is a walking excursion
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Join a small advisory group to co-create your own Leaving to Learn experience! You'll meet virtually with your advisory group before Big Bang to plan a custom L2L based on your shared interests and curiosities. During the conference, your group will set out together in downtown Providence to explore, learn, and reflect on the experience you designed. Come ready to collaborate, be curious, and discover the city—and yourself—in new ways.
Rock Spot Climbing
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Leads
Please note: this is a walking excursion ​​
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Reach new heights, literally and figuratively, at Rock Spot Climbing Providence, an all-bouldering gym designed for climbers of every experience level. This Leaving to Learn adventure invites participants to challenge themselves on over 90 bouldering
problems. Whether you're a first-time climber or a seasoned pro, the facility offers a supportive
environment to push your limits. This experience isn't just about physical strength; it's an opportunity to build trust, resilience, and camaraderie as you navigate challenges together.
Newport Mansions
Space for: 40
Strand: BPL Leads
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Step into the opulent world of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions, where the line between extravagance and excess blurs. This Leaving to Learn invites you to explore the grand “summer cottages” of America’s wealthiest families, like the Vanderbilts and
Berwinds, who spared no expense in showcasing their status. From the marble halls of Marble House to the lavish interiors of The Breakers, each mansion tells a story of ambition, artistry, and affluence. As you wander through these architecturalmarvels,
reflect on the societal contrasts of the era and consider the parallels to today’s world. Is it a celebration of human achievement or a testament to inequality? You decide.
Purgatory Chasm
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Leads
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Step into the rugged beauty of Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, Massachusetts; a geological marvel carved by glacial forces over 14,000 years ago. This Leaving to Learn invites participants to navigate the dramatic quarter-mile
chasm flanked by granite walls soaring up to 70 feet, with formations like Lover’s Leap, Devil’s Pulpit, and Fat Man’s Misery offering both challenge and wonder. This moderate hike blends physical adventure with opportunities for reflection, team-building, and storytelling in nature’s own amphitheater. Sturdy footwear with good grip is essential. Please bring water, snacks, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Audubon Society Walk & Share
Space for: 20
Strand: BPL Leads
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Immerse yourself in urban ecology with a visit to the Providence Audubon Society. This Leaving to Learn invites participants to explore local wildlife, conservation efforts, and environmental justice in an urban setting. Through guided nature walks and
hands-on exploration, you’ll reflect on the interconnectedness of land, learning, and community—and consider how outdoor education can ground equity and curiosity across generations.
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